Wood Allergy

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kent4Him

kent4Him

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2006
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1,654
Location
Paddock Lake, WI USA.
Well, I think I have developed some type of wood allergy. I turned 30 or so Bird House ornaments of Friday and on Saturday, I had a terrible need to scratch almost anywhere from my waist up. Basically anywhere that shavings and dust hit. Kind of like hives without the redness or the swelling. My t-shirt was usually covered. I wore a good dust mask and didn't have much get in my nose, so I think it is a contact allergy. I'm still itching today. I've been using a lot of Benadryl and Cortisone. My problem is, I don't really know which wood might be the culprit. I probably used 40 or so woods, all of which I have used before without this type of problem. I'm suspecting that Cocobolo might be the answer, but I've been turning cocobolo for years and haven't had any problems. I hope I don't have to give up wood. If I switch to mainly acrylic, I fear that I will turn into Ed.:biggrin:

For those with wood allergies, what are your reactions?
 
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I am allergic to most evergreens, including cedar.

My symptoms are similar to what you discribed. I will have a stinging/itching conditions, almost no redness, usually accompanyed by some swelling in my hands. When I have these problems, I have noticed my skin is very sensitive to the touch (even the slightest touch feels like fire on my skin).

Cocobolo may be your culprit.

Acacias are also rough on some people. These would include Mimosa and Koa (among many others). I have seen some of your birdhouses turned from Mimosa.
 
THarvey said:
I am allergic to most evergreens, including cedar.

My symptoms are similar to what you discribed. I will have a stinging/itching conditions, almost no redness, usually accompanyed by some swelling in my hands. When I have these problems, I have noticed my skin is very sensitive to the touch (even the slightest touch feels like fire on my skin).

Cocobolo may be your culprit.

Acacias are also rough on some people. These would include Mimosa and Koa (among many others). I have seen some of your birdhouses turned from Mimosa.
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It may be the Hawaiian woods. I did a few Koa and Monkey Pod houses. The Mimosa that I've turned has been from California and I've had no problems with it.

My hands are not swollen at all. The other thing about my reaction is when I take a shower, especially a hot shower. I can't help but scratching in the shower, but scratching doesn't releave the itch.
 
kent4Him said:
My hands are not swollen at all. The other thing about my reaction is when I take a shower, especially a hot shower. I can't help but scratching in the shower, but scratching doesn't releave the itch.
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Try turning the water as cold as you can tolerate, before exiting the shower. A few seconds of cold shower seems to calm my itch.

My hands do not swell a significant amount, just enough that I cannot wear my wedding band and my watch seems a little tighter. I probably would not recognize it otherwise.

BTW: If it is the Koa or Monkey Pod, I will be glad to take the irratant from you.
 
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FYI - most wood allergies are cumulative. There's a threshold where what was once a vague annoyance suddenly becomes a problem. Ebony never bothered me and then is suddenly took me hours to clear up the congestion caused by a half hour of turning. Cocobolo works like that as well as most rosewoods. which is why people should us dust protection BEFORE the think they need it.

Marc
 
I have been told that if you put a little sawdust on a bandaid and stick it on your arm and see which one you get a reaction from, that is my only recomendation. It may be a little cornball but I hope it might help? Howard
 
THarvey said:
Try turning the water as cold as you can tolerate, before exiting the shower. A few seconds of cold shower seems to calm my itch.

My hands do not swell a significant amount, just enough that I cannot wear my wedding band and my watch seems a little tighter. I probably would not recognize it otherwise.
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Maybe I'll just go take a swim in Lake Michigan.:cool:
 
Hey, Chris, I'd be happy to welcome you to the wonderful world of resins; however, your bird houses would become pretty pricey!!!

Hope you find and can control your problem!!!
 
Long sleeves with tight cuffs, Respirator and if you still get dust in your nose it is not good enough. even contact with wood can cause allergies to develop. I have heard that you "Will" develop an allergy to Cocobolo but have heard of many other woods that can do the same since then. the thing about the nose, there is not a much better way to flood your body wit anything than to snort it. I once got stung by a Hornet in my upper lip. The venom reached my sinuses and in seconds my entire body reacted. I nearly blacked out.
 
As long as you're not busy you could to a group buy for the Trend airshield pro. >:p That's very high on my want list.

Marc

Daniel said:
Long sleeves with tight cuffs, Respirator and if you still get dust in your nose it is not good enough. even contact with wood can cause allergies to develop. I have heard that you "Will" develop an allergy to Cocobolo but have heard of many other woods that can do the same since then. the thing about the nose, there is not a much better way to flood your body wit anything than to snort it. I once got stung by a Hornet in my upper lip. The venom reached my sinuses and in seconds my entire body reacted. I nearly blacked out.
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Cocobolo gets me, I did a run of 150 bullet pens and after that I got a Triton powered hood and the blue surgical gloves from H/F. End of problem. Daniel is correct with tight fitting cuffs. Anything to keep the chips and dust off your skin.
 
I get a rash on my arms but it only seems to happen in the cooler weather. I rub some cortizone on it and it stops itching and goes away after a couple of days.
 
kent4Him said:
My hands are not swollen at all. The other thing about my reaction is when I take a shower, especially a hot shower. I can't help but scratching in the shower, but scratching doesn't releave the itch.
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Been there, done that... I think my allergy is Paduak, but not for totally sure. I have since bought a turning smock that covers my chest, arms and tight around the neck so nothing ever gets to the skin. I never found anything except time that relieved the itch and that took a couple of weeks.
 
CA Reaction.

Only been turning for little more then two years and just discovered that my problem is from the CA, did several test and it was noted that in fact the CA was a main cause. Do all that is necessary, it mask DR and Fan working and even have window open.
Have been checking on getting a mask that has charlcoal filter, Been doing some searching and have not found the right one. A memember of my club had the same problem and it was also the CA. Now only do CA with total face shield and everything ruinning to keep the fumes away.
Any one have a source for charcoal mask that they have used, or reccommend?
Thanks
 
I've had some problems with contact allergies recently, after a life without any allergies at all.

The first one to set it off was canarywood. Just an itchy rash on my wrists and under my eyes. A bit later, I got a bad primary, and then secondary, reaction from bolivian rosewood, which I had worked with many times before without incident. This latest bout was a doozy, with first only my wrists broke out, but then two days later I went completely up in smoke from my navel to my chin. Had to undergo a 6-day steroid regimen, in spite of the danger it posed as I am diabetic.

Doc said the problem was probably triggered by exposure to excess sunlight while working in my yard two days prior to my wood contact. He also said there would be no predicting exactly which woods I might now be sensitive to, despite no problems prior. So I had to upgrade my dust collection, air cleaner, and turning practices (I now use a turning smock and put a barrier cream on my wrists and backs of my hands). I am now using a DC shroud for all turning and sanding processes. I also wash thoroughly and immediately after turning.

Thankfully, this seems to have prevented any further issues. It was actually easier to get used to than I thought it would be, and it sure beats having to give up the hobby. :redface:
 
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